Zakyi Ibrahim
Biographic Data
| ID | 6961640 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Zakyi Ibrahim |
| GIVEN NAMES | Zakyi |
| FAMILY NAME | Ibrahim |
| SIGNATURE | IBRAHIM Z |
| AFFILIATIONS | California State University, Fullerton |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 34 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 0 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 30 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2009 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2021 |
| H-INDEX | 0 |
Islamic Thought in Africa
Islamic Thought in Africa
This is the first English translation of and commentary on the collected poems of Alhaj Yusuf Salih Ajura (1910–2004), a northern Ghanaian orthodox Islamic scholar, poet, and polemicist known as Afa Ajura, or “scholar from Ejura.” The poems, all handwritten in Arabic script, mainly in the Ghanaian language of Dagbani and also Arabic, explore the author's socio-religious beliefs. In the accompanying introduction, the translator examines the divers…
Islamic Thought in Africa
Damba Digoli (Damba Month)
This chapter focuses on the poem “Damba Digoli”, which is believed to be the first one that Afa Ajura composed around 1952. It reveals that Afa Ajura recited the poem during a celebration for the occasion of Prophet Muhammad's birth, which coincided with the visit to Tamale of Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse, the most famous Tijaniyyah Khalifa in West Africa. It also considers Damba Digoli as a departure from the usual tradition where speakers would take t…
Nsab Nsabliŋo (I Compose This Writing of Mine)
This chapter deals with the poem “Nsab Nsabliŋo,” which recounts the role and participation of Afa Ajura and his people during the 1960 celebration of Nigeria's independence. It contains a narrative about the political history of Ghana and Nigeria in the celebration, wherein Afa Ajura talks about meeting several Nigerian dignitaries and political players. It also mentions Alhaj Yahya Iddi who, together with Afa Ajura, was considered to be a suppo…
An Anchor and a Vehicle
This editorial was first published in Dutch in 2015 as part of a collection ofreflections on faith (“Anker en voertuig,” in Geloven - Spirituele denkers uitde hele wereld getuigen, ed. Jürgen Mettepenningen (Tielt: Lannoo, 2015), 73-78. Forty-six scholars of diverse religious backgrounds around the world weresent a set of questions: “What Are the central features of your faith?” “How isyour belief in praxis?” “Why do you believe (belief)?” “What …
Consensus in the Islamic Legal System
Reinstating the Queens
Muslim Scholars' Take on the Negative Consequences of Terrorism
Consensus in the Islamic Legal System
All Muslims regard the Qur’an as authoritative. The Sunnah, on the otherhand, although authoritative to the majority of Muslims, does not enjoy suchuniversality.1Yet to the Sunnis and Shi‘ahs, both of them are so authoritativethat they are unquestionable sources of Islamic legal system. Thus, they aresources “from” which Islamic law is directly derived. So what makes “consensus”(ijmā‘: whether of the Muslim community or of the scholars) such acom…
Muslim Scholars’ Take on the Negative Consequences of “Terrorism”
I pen this editorial feeling weary of having to address this particular topic yetagain. But please bear with me, for the senseless murder of fourteen innocentsin San Bernardino on December 2, 2015, occurred only twenty-two milesfrom my home. Although I do not regularly attend the mosque that the killersfrequented, I personally know that its director is one of America’s best Muslimleaders in terms of knowledge, wisdom, and kindness. Lastly, one vi…
Reinstating the Queens
The leadership of women at the highest political level remains an ongoingcontroversial issue for Muslims.1 And yet women have led both medievaland modern Muslim societies – Pakistan, Indonesia, and Bangladesh –thereby rendering this debate, in practice, moot. But quite a few Muslimmen consider this reality as an abomination and perversion.In his Al-Aḥkām al-Sulṭānīyah wa al-Wilāyāt al-Dīnīyah, al-Mawardi (d.1058) discusses the imamate in the sens…
Violent Muslim Extremism Flagrantly Dares the World
This editorial reflects on an aspect of the root causes of the current refugeeand migrant influx into Europe: Can the Muslim world’s extremist elements,who brazenly continue to dare the international community, be decisively defeatedso that peace and tranquility can be restored to the Middle East and theworld at large? I contend that this menace can be decisively eliminated. However,and most importantly, the international community – all of its p…
Un-Islamic or Non-Muslim
The reality is that the Islamic State is Islamic. Very Islamic. Yes, it has attractedpsychopaths and adventure seekers, drawn largely from the disaffectedpopulations of the Middle East and Europe. But the religion preachedby its most ardent followers derives from coherent and even learned interpretationsof Islam.”1This editorial analyzes the phenomenon of violent extremism and its identificationand association with Islam by analysts and critics. …
Ali A. Mazrui, Iiit, and the Muslim Experience in the United States of America
This editorial is dedicated to paying a tribute to Professor Ali A. Mazrui, whopassed away in Binghamton, New York, on October 13, 2014. From 2009(AJISS 26:1) until his passing, Professor Mazrui was the editor-in-chief forthis journal. In years to come, we may consider dedicating a special issue tohim and his general intellectual contributions. But for now, we present the followingtribute penned by his friend and colleague, Professor Sulayman S.N…
Like the Scum of a Torrent”
The hadith compilations are filled with the Prophet’s prophecies and predictionsabout the future, be it the future state of Muslims, the outcomes of battles,the signs of the end times, and so on. If Muslims are uncertain as to how andwhen some of these may come to pass, there is little doubt that, somehow,someway, they will certainly do so. Muslims’ confidence in the latter scenariostems from their unflinching belief in Muhammad as God’s messenge…
The Study of Islam in African Universities
Although not as comprehensive as the articles featured in this special issue,this editorial presents my comments and the results of my survey conductedamong professors and lecturers who teach Islamic studies in Ghanaian universities.For a comparative perspective, similar questions were also sent tocolleagues in Nigeria. I undertook this preliminary research to prepare myselffor a roundtable discussion that was held at the annual African StudiesAs…
The Martin Luther of Islam
Although I did not study under Isma’il al-Faruqi (d. 1986) directly as didscholars like John Esposito and many others, I have, nonetheless, had thepleasure of teaching and introducing my students to his person and ideas forthe past decade. His former students have convened two conferences (London[2010] and Kuala Lumpur [2013]) to celebrate his intellectual contribution,from which came a book and a special issue of this journal. Could all of thisb…
Muslim Men Writing for Muslim Women
During a discussion in my “CPRL 373 Women in Islam” class, students werebaffled by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali’s (d. 1111) candid discussion of sex in hisIḥyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn.1 I was not surprised, because many assumptions are takenfor granted about medieval Muslim scholars due to their religious and sectarianreputations, cultural environments, and eras. However, without highlightingany sexual discourse or showering praises, this editorial only introduces…
Why Muslims Will Always Sacrifice Animals on the Eid
Recently, blogger Anila Muhammad posted “Should Muslims Reconsider AnimalSlaughter on Eid?” on the Canadian edition of the Huffington Post.1 Sheclaims that some animal advocates are asking this question. Of course it is anactivist’s right to raise such an issue, even though it could be offensive to practicingMuslims. In reality, however, the majority of Muslims neither know ofsuch a proposal, nor would they consider its possibility. Boldly claimi…
Ibn Hazm’s Legal Contribution
In profiling Ibn Hazm, the previous editorial shed some light on his genealogy, early life and education, and breadth of knowledge. In this issue, I concentrate only on his legal dimensions. A Shot at a Political Career? Ibn Hazm’s childhood of luxury ended abruptly when his family estate was destroyed in 1013 and the family fled to Jativa. Like his father, Ibn Hazm’s early career began in political arena. Sympathetic to the the Umayyads, he was …
Ibn Hazm
As one of history’s most prolific Muslim writers, the theologian and jurist IbnHazm (d. 1064) had a remarkably successful intellectual career. Scholars continueto argue over him, perhaps due to his own diverse perspectives, potentials,and achievements. I consider his multiple achievements, notwithstandingany deserved negative impressions, a cause for celebrating this intellectualgiant. Consequently, it is appropriate that he be profiled here. Whi…
The Stigma of Extremism on Muslims
It is a fact that the majority of Muslims are peace-loving citizens, whodo not share or condone the motives, objectives, and activities of the violentminority. The former may not even hesitate to declare the latter as“not Muslims” due to their activities that are boldly antithetical to basicIslamic teachings and worldview. That would be, understandably, a religiopoliticalperspective. But theologically ‒ it is not advisable, nor indeed,effectual t…
Sayyid Qutb on the Qur’an’s Artistic and Activist Dimensions
Sayyid Qutb’s reputation as one of the finest Muslim writers of all time isbased on the quality of his writings in terms of their eloquence and ideas. Forexample, his F¥ ~ilOEl al-Qur’OEn is one of the best, captivating, and most widelyread Qur’anic commentaries in the Middle East. But in the West his reputationas a writer has been effectively eclipsed mainly because of political considerations.Here, he is generally portrayed as the leading ideol…
The Question of (Mis)interpreting the Qur’ān by Muslims
Although the Qur’ān calls Muslims to make peace with their enemies(Qur’ān 8:61‒62), some early Qur’ān exegetes1 interpret that to be abrogatedby subsequent war verses (Qur’ān 9:5; Qur’ān 9:12‒13). This,according to a sound methodology, is a misinterpretation. So why is theQur’ān often taken out of context on many issues, and on peace and warinjunctions in particular? In other words, why does misunderstanding seemso pervasive among Muslims of diff…
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To Use “God” or “Allah”
Recently there was a discussion on the American Academy of Religion listserve’s“Islam” section on whether “Allah” is simply a noun or a proper nameof God and whether English-speaking Muslims should use “God” instead of“Allah.” As the majority seemed to agree that “Allah” is Arabic for God, as“Khoda” is in Urdu and Persian, there was no agreement on using “God”instead of “Allah.” But what I did not see discussed was howtheQur’an presentsthe term A…
A Prophet or a Messenger
This paper probes specific questions in the Qur’an on various prophetic phenomenon (e.g., the purpose of revelation to prophets/messengers, the question of sending them, and the meaning of book/scripture) in order to ascertain whether or not the popular theories on their essence have valid Qur’anic support. It hypothesizes that the major conclusions on this subject have no solid Qur’anic evidence, that prophets and messengers are one and the same…
Imams and Fighting Radicalism in North America
Indeed God enjoins justice and doing of good (virtue) and giving to kinsfolk,and He forbids all that is shameful (lewdness), and abomination(evil), and aggression (wickedness): He admonishes you so that youmight remember. (Qur’an 16:90)More than 90 percent of practicing Sunni Muslims are likely to hear thisverse recited to signal the end of Friday khutbah. Rightly identified asembodying God’s specific admonition to Muslims, and as one that iswort…
The Legacy of Isma`il Raji al-Faruqi
A two-day seminar on Isma`il Raji al-Faruqi (1921-86), jointly organized bythe Centre for the Study of Democracy (University of Westminster), Princeal-Waleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (GeorgetownUniversity), and the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIITUK and USA), took place in London at the University of Westminster on6-7 June 2010. Considering his intellectual output, academic agendas, andscholastic achieve…
Evil and Islamic Theodicy
On 12 January 2010, the world witnessed the complete devastation of Haiti, thishemisphere’s first black independent nation. That this is evil in its nature is disputedby none (Plato uses evil to refer to poverty, disease, pain, sickness, harm, injustice,badness, discord, chaos, disorder, ugliness, weakness, deformity, and other things).1What is deliberated, however, are the causes, effects, and what to do next. Moreappropriately, the internationa…
Islam and Pluralism
Is religious pluralism possible in Islam? This question is theoretically andhistorically easy to answer affirmatively. But in perception seen as reality,it is anything but simple to answer at all. Contemporary attitudes towardand portrayals of Muslims confuse the debate even further. Attempts to providelegitimate answers in a nuanced manner are usually considered apologeticsand thus dismissed. Yet the case must be made that the Islamicworldview o…
To Revolt or Not to Revolt
Although—with a long way to go—the eighteen-day demonstrations inEgypt from January 25, 2011 to February 11, 2011, which toppled PresidentHosni Mubarak will ultimately go down in history as one of the great revolutions.This event stands alongside the French Revolution (1789–1799)and the Russian Revolutions (1917–1918). Almost everybody will agreethat it was not a religiously motivated one, even though it was executedthrough an unprecedented coope…
Muslim Intellectualism in the Wake of the Arab Uprisings
With the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa come scores ofintellectual initiatives and academic investigations geared toward understandingthe forces and motives propelling these unprecedented developments.Conferences are being convened and special issues ofjournals are being dedicated to addressing some aspects of the currentphenomena ‒ not to talk of droves of “experts” (academic tourists?)pouring into the Muslim world for research. I…
Peace among Muslims
Peace is seen as a sociopolitical value whose permanent realization keepseluding humanity, despite constant efforts (at least for the past century) forit to prevail permanently. For Muslims, peace1 is not just a sociopoliticalimperative; it is also a religious obligation. So any attempts to achieve itat anytime (be it among Muslims, or between them and their non-Muslimenemies) must be considered an act of obedience to God, who enjoinedthem, on se…
The Stigma of Extremism on Muslims
It is a fact that the majority of Muslims are peace-loving citizens, whodo not share or condone the motives, objectives, and activities of the violentminority. The former may not even hesitate to declare the latter as“not Muslims” due to their activities that are boldly antithetical to basicIslamic teachings and worldview. That would be, understandably, a religiopoliticalperspective. But theologically ‒ it is not advisable, nor indeed,effectual t…
Sayyid Qutb on the Qur’an’s Artistic and Activist Dimensions
Sayyid Qutb’s reputation as one of the finest Muslim writers of all time isbased on the quality of his writings in terms of their eloquence and ideas. Forexample, his F¥ ~ilOEl al-Qur’OEn is one of the best, captivating, and most widelyread Qur’anic commentaries in the Middle East. But in the West his reputationas a writer has been effectively eclipsed mainly because of political considerations.Here, he is generally portrayed as the leading ideol…
The Question of (Mis)interpreting the Qur’ān by Muslims
Although the Qur’ān calls Muslims to make peace with their enemies(Qur’ān 8:61‒62), some early Qur’ān exegetes1 interpret that to be abrogatedby subsequent war verses (Qur’ān 9:5; Qur’ān 9:12‒13). This,according to a sound methodology, is a misinterpretation. So why is theQur’ān often taken out of context on many issues, and on peace and warinjunctions in particular? In other words, why does misunderstanding seemso pervasive among Muslims of diff…
Why Muslims Will Always Sacrifice Animals on the Eid
Recently, blogger Anila Muhammad posted “Should Muslims Reconsider AnimalSlaughter on Eid?” on the Canadian edition of the Huffington Post.1 Sheclaims that some animal advocates are asking this question. Of course it is anactivist’s right to raise such an issue, even though it could be offensive to practicingMuslims. In reality, however, the majority of Muslims neither know ofsuch a proposal, nor would they consider its possibility. Boldly claimi…
Ibn Hazm’s Legal Contribution
In profiling Ibn Hazm, the previous editorial shed some light on his genealogy, early life and education, and breadth of knowledge. In this issue, I concentrate only on his legal dimensions. A Shot at a Political Career? Ibn Hazm’s childhood of luxury ended abruptly when his family estate was destroyed in 1013 and the family fled to Jativa. Like his father, Ibn Hazm’s early career began in political arena. Sympathetic to the the Umayyads, he was …
Ibn Hazm
As one of history’s most prolific Muslim writers, the theologian and jurist IbnHazm (d. 1064) had a remarkably successful intellectual career. Scholars continueto argue over him, perhaps due to his own diverse perspectives, potentials,and achievements. I consider his multiple achievements, notwithstandingany deserved negative impressions, a cause for celebrating this intellectualgiant. Consequently, it is appropriate that he be profiled here. Whi…
Like the Scum of a Torrent”
The hadith compilations are filled with the Prophet’s prophecies and predictionsabout the future, be it the future state of Muslims, the outcomes of battles,the signs of the end times, and so on. If Muslims are uncertain as to how andwhen some of these may come to pass, there is little doubt that, somehow,someway, they will certainly do so. Muslims’ confidence in the latter scenariostems from their unflinching belief in Muhammad as God’s messenge…
The Study of Islam in African Universities
Although not as comprehensive as the articles featured in this special issue,this editorial presents my comments and the results of my survey conductedamong professors and lecturers who teach Islamic studies in Ghanaian universities.For a comparative perspective, similar questions were also sent tocolleagues in Nigeria. I undertook this preliminary research to prepare myselffor a roundtable discussion that was held at the annual African StudiesAs…
The Martin Luther of Islam
Although I did not study under Isma’il al-Faruqi (d. 1986) directly as didscholars like John Esposito and many others, I have, nonetheless, had thepleasure of teaching and introducing my students to his person and ideas forthe past decade. His former students have convened two conferences (London[2010] and Kuala Lumpur [2013]) to celebrate his intellectual contribution,from which came a book and a special issue of this journal. Could all of thisb…
Muslim Men Writing for Muslim Women
During a discussion in my “CPRL 373 Women in Islam” class, students werebaffled by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali’s (d. 1111) candid discussion of sex in hisIḥyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn.1 I was not surprised, because many assumptions are takenfor granted about medieval Muslim scholars due to their religious and sectarianreputations, cultural environments, and eras. However, without highlightingany sexual discourse or showering praises, this editorial only introduces…
Violent Muslim Extremism Flagrantly Dares the World
This editorial reflects on an aspect of the root causes of the current refugeeand migrant influx into Europe: Can the Muslim world’s extremist elements,who brazenly continue to dare the international community, be decisively defeatedso that peace and tranquility can be restored to the Middle East and theworld at large? I contend that this menace can be decisively eliminated. However,and most importantly, the international community – all of its p…
Un-Islamic or Non-Muslim
The reality is that the Islamic State is Islamic. Very Islamic. Yes, it has attractedpsychopaths and adventure seekers, drawn largely from the disaffectedpopulations of the Middle East and Europe. But the religion preachedby its most ardent followers derives from coherent and even learned interpretationsof Islam.”1This editorial analyzes the phenomenon of violent extremism and its identificationand association with Islam by analysts and critics. …
Ali A. Mazrui, Iiit, and the Muslim Experience in the United States of America
This editorial is dedicated to paying a tribute to Professor Ali A. Mazrui, whopassed away in Binghamton, New York, on October 13, 2014. From 2009(AJISS 26:1) until his passing, Professor Mazrui was the editor-in-chief forthis journal. In years to come, we may consider dedicating a special issue tohim and his general intellectual contributions. But for now, we present the followingtribute penned by his friend and colleague, Professor Sulayman S.N…
Consensus in the Islamic Legal System
Reinstating the Queens
Muslim Scholars' Take on the Negative Consequences of Terrorism
Philosophy (27 works) · Islam (25 works) · Sociology (25 works) · Philosophy (24 works) · Political science (24 works) · Law (23 works) · History (21 works) · Theology (20 works) · Education and Islamic Studies (19 works) · Islamic Studies and History (18 works)